At What Age Might Men Start Experiencing Erectile Difficulties, and How Is This Related to Testosterone Levels?

Reviewed by Garrett Kneese, MD, MPH

Family Medicine

Many men may start noticing erectile problems around their 40s or later, and lower testosterone levels as men age can be one reason for this.

Explanation

As men get older, especially around their 40s, some may start to have trouble getting or keeping an erection. This problem is called erectile dysfunction or ED. One reason for ED is that the body makes less testosterone, which is a hormone that helps with sex drive and keeping a strong erection. While testosterone levels naturally go down a bit over time, it is not the only reason for ED. Other health issues like heart disease, diabetes, and stress can also play a big role. Studies have shown that the chance of having ED increases with age and low testosterone can be one of the factors involved. However, every person is different. For example, some men might notice changes earlier while others might not have any problems until much later. It is important to know that there are many reasons for ED, and if someone has concerns, they should talk with a doctor. The doctor can look at all the factors altogether to help understand what might be causing the change and what treatment might help.

(References)

Rajfer J. Relationship between testosterone and erectile dysfunction. Rev Urol. 2000 Spring;2(2):122-8. PMID: 16985751; PMCID: PMC1476110.
Gareri P, Castagna A, Francomano D, Cerminara G, De Fazio P. Erectile dysfunction in the elderly: an old widespread issue with novel treatment perspectives. Int J Endocrinol. 2014;2014:878670. doi: 10.1155/2014/878670. Epub 2014 Mar 17. PMID: 24744785; PMCID: PMC3976909.
Leslie SW, Sooriyamoorthy T. Erectile Dysfunction. [Updated 2024 Jan 9]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK562253/
Müezzinoğu T, Gümüş B, Temeltaş G, Ari Z, Büyüksu C. A relationship of sex hormone levels and erectile dysfunction: which tests should be done routinely? Yonsei Med J. 2007 Dec 31;48(6):1015-9. doi: 10.3349/ymj.2007.48.6.1015. PMID: 18159595; PMCID: PMC2628192.

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